The thyroid gland is one of the most important components of the endocrine system of the body. It constantly falls under the influence of various adverse factors, which leads to a disruption in its performance. The hormones produced by it are able to control various processes in the body. Therefore, a malfunction in the thyroid gland causes an imbalance and pathological changes in all systems and tissues.
An important link in the body
The three most important hormones - thyroxine, triiodothyronine and calcitonin are released directly into the blood. Their production occurs in the epithelial layer of the thyroid gland. The first two of the three hormones listed contain iodine. An insufficient or excessive amount of this element in the water and food that a person consumes, entails diseases associated with the performance of the thyroid gland.
The production of thyroid-stimulating hormones can be rejected both upward and downward. The performance indicators of organs and systems of the body are significantly different, up to the exact opposite. Even if the thyroid gland is enlarged, the symptoms may be different. Correctly diagnose the disease by external indicators and laboratory tests.
Too much
Hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis is characterized by increased production of hormones. It is not difficult to calculate the thyroid disease. Hormones poison the body with excess iodine. A person is excitable, emotional, nervous. He has sweating, tremor of his hands, palpitations, arrhythmia, thinness, not associated with appetite.
It is believed that the disease has a hereditary predisposition and affects mainly women. Such selectivity is associated with the fact that ladies are subject to constant hormonal changes that are associated with various processes, such as lactation, pregnancy, menstruation.
Exacerbation of the disease can contribute to severe emotional disturbances, brain injuries, viral diseases, or a malfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. External factors also matter. For example, an excess of iodine, which enters the body along with food, can have a decisive influence on the development of hyperthyroidism.
Excess hormones entering the bloodstream alter the balance in metabolism. The body ceases to absorb carbohydrates and intensively expends adipose tissue. In severe cases, a "thyroid heart" develops due to circulatory failure, while the thyroid gland is enlarged, an ultrasound confirms the diagnosis.
In the development of the disease, many eye symptoms are distinguished, such as a rare blink, the inability to fix the gaze on nearby objects, etc. In diagnosis, it is important to understand that if the thyroid gland is enlarged, the causes and consequences can be very diverse. They require clear differentiation.
Too little
Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by low levels of hormones in the blood. The thyroid gland is enlarged, the symptoms are completely opposite to thyrotoxicosis, but this disease does not become less serious. The patient is inhibited, swollen, has a poor memory, heart rate is lower than normal, in severe cases, dementia, up to cretinism, is possible.
The degree of development of hormonal deficiency is almost never comparable with complaints and requires clinical diagnosis. The first symptoms of a thyroid problem are described by patients as hair loss, lethargy, a constant desire to sleep.
When examining the tongue, its pronounced swelling and tooth marks on the edges are noticeable. Nasal breathing is difficult. Hearing is disturbed, vision, voice becomes hoarse. These manifestations are associated with edema of all organs and tissues. The thyroid gland is enlarged. Symptoms of damage to the cardiovascular system are reflected on the ECG.
For women, myxedema is dangerous due to infertility due to ovarian damage. In addition, the development of anemia is characteristic of hypothyroidism. Severe development of the disease, if no measures are taken, can lead to myxedema coma and then death.
Other causes of changes in the structure and size of the thyroid gland
In addition to these deviations, other prerequisites are also possible that affect the enlargement of the thyroid gland. The causes, symptoms of an increase are determined by the endocrinologist, based on the history, external manifestations of the disease and the study of blood for hormones. As a result, the doctor may make a diagnosis different from hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis, such as nodular goiter or thyroid adenoma. A malignant tumor is possible, which also affects the thyroid gland. Symptoms of the pathology are quite characteristic.
Nodular toxic goiter
Clinical manifestations are largely similar to thyrotoxicosis, since the disease itself is caused by an increased number of thyrotropics in the blood. However, there is a difference. With nodular goiter, there are no ophthalmic disorders and some other manifestations.
The causes of this disease are not fully understood. It is believed that there is a genetic predisposition and an unfavorable environmental situation. In the presence of multiple nodes, it is necessary to use the fine-needle biopsy method to exclude a cancerous tumor.
Simple non-toxic goiter
Symptoms and diagnosis of thyroid diseases have a direct relationship, but should be supported by general information about the living conditions of a sick person, as well as rely on the results of laboratory tests.
So, for example, sporadic goiter gives a clinical picture similar to endemic. In this case, the thyroid gland is enlarged. Symptoms, complaints are reduced to a common syndrome, which reveals the pathological process. The correct diagnosis helps to make a detailed history and biopsy of the gland material.
Aberrant goiter
A disease in which the enlarged thyroid gland is enlarged, while normal is absent. There are different localization of this pathology. It can be sublingual, sternal, esophageal, etc. Compressing neighboring organs, the tumor causes associated symptoms: difficulty breathing, swallowing, hoarseness of the voice , etc. In order to distinguish aberrant goiter from any other study is carried out. A decisive role in the diagnosis is played by radioisotope scanning.
Surgical and conservative treatment
If a characteristic thyroid enlargement has been established , the leading endocrinologist should monitor the symptoms and treatment of the enlargement. He will determine the possibility of a conservative approach to treatment, which is desirable. Iodine preparations or hormone replacement therapy will be prescribed.
This is done in order to remove the workload from the diseased gland as much as possible. It ceases to mobilize the additional capabilities of the body to compensate for its insufficiency, thereby relieving vital systems, such as respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular.
With neglect of the thyroid gland disease signs, symptoms can be quite serious and require surgical intervention. Patients are prescribed radioactive iodine. The degree of intervention can be different: from the complete removal of the diseased organ to the resection of the affected lobe or part thereof.
Timely treatment of thyroid diseases, as a rule, provides a favorable prognosis for recovery. In order to prevent, especially in regions with a difficult endemic situation, it is necessary to regularly undergo examination by an endocrinologist.